August 29, 2025 • 17 mins
The voice of FC Cincinnati Tommy G joins the show to discuss the most important stretch of FC Cincinnati's season on the horizon.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Penn Station EASTCA Subs Cincy three sixty of
About Cincinnati from Cincinnatis, spuntered in part by Pennstation eastco Subs.
Handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. It's
all about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs order
online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Welcome back our three thanks to Penn Station. Thank you
for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. As
we roll into the third and final hour here on
a Friday edition of Cincy three to sixty, which means
you already know. We got to talk to FC Cincinnati
with our guy Tom Gallader, the voice of FC Cincinnati,
joining us right now. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, what's going on.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Tony, Tony, Tony, Happy Friday.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
I hope you had anxt reunion with your Kelsey brothers
last night.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
I know the result was a little bit disappointing.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
And a late return, but listen, anybody who questions your
professionalism return and here we are on Friday afternoon, getting
after You've probably had fourteen cups of coffee, but that's okay.
Survival mode to get through this Friday and into the
holiday weekend. There's no there's a four day weekend for
Tommy and Tony. It would have been easy to put
(01:15):
into proper shift.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
It would have been easy to just be like, hey,
you know what, I'm good, I'm I'm gonna take today.
Really pushing against, really pushing against the part time Pike
allegations that get thrown around by some of our talkbackers.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Yeah, that's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
The result last night obviously not what Cincinnati wanted, and
the result last week for FC Cincinnati also not the
result that anyone wanted. Is there something about some of
these whole matches that feels like they need to figure out?
I know there's a lot of moving parts here there.
They're making additions to the roster, they're trying to add
(01:53):
in key areas, and that's gonna take some time of
getting folks to play together. But it just didn't feel
clean last week in the loss of New York City.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
No, it wasn't and it never really felt like f
C Sinceni was in command of the match, And I
think that's what's frustrating. I mean, I think everybody knows
that this team is good enough to win those games,
and that they have the right parts and they have
a great coach and all of that, and you know,
coming home, you're coming home to Tiquol Stadium, and you
(02:23):
have an opportunity to jump back into first place, and
you know, it just just didn't come.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Together on that night in New York City.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
For whatever reason, has been you know, kind of that
frustrating thorn in the side. I mean, listen to two
games against New York City, they haven't scored a goal.
Two games against Charlotte they even scored a goal. I
think Miami's the only other team that has shut him
out this year. And then nil nil draw down there,
and listen, there were some different factors going on for
that match last week. And obviously DeAndre Yednen had been
(02:52):
moved to Salt Lake, so you didn't have him Availble
on the right side, but you did have Alice Powell,
who's plenty of experience in this league. Brad Smith started
on the left side. We've now learned that he got
hurt in that match. Miles Robinson is still out with
a knox so you're a little short handed. I don't
think that anybody was, you know, making excuses. Pat Newnan
was the first to raise his hand and say, listen,
(03:13):
this is on me. We weren't ready tonight. But I
think the hard part is when you're that close to
first place and you know you can come home and
perform at home and potentially be in first place at
the end of the night and you're not.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
That's where the real disappointment sinks in. What is it from?
Is it the additions, is it injuries? And obviously every
team is going through different stuff, but this time of
the year we've talked about, you know, trying to hit
your peek at the right time, and as the the
MLS LAD is winding down, they make all these additions.
(03:45):
Is it just one of those things where it feels
like they just need a little bit more time together here.
They obviously got to get some guys healthy in the
meantime as well. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
No, I mean, I think it's some of everything that
you just discussed, and you know, there was a few
rotational pieces, you know, with guys who are out and
obviously DeAndre being moved and figuring out whereverybody slots in
the miles hurt and playing Lucas angle at center back.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Luca Orsano was out. Good news is that he is back.
You know, you have a guy like Dominic.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Mark Mark Tuku's Mark Chukus now into the mix, you know,
and and Fit and Brentner coming into the mix. So
I feel really good about where the team is at.
Obviously you're missing O being a wobdope and Brian and
Nunga has done.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
A good job.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
They were just flat and I think, you know, the
head coach and the entire team would be the first
to raise their hand. They acknowledge that, but like I said,
it's just disappointing when you know you're coming home with
this opportunity and then then you kind of lay an
egg and and don't perform. And look, everybody has days
like that. You'd much rather have that day on August
twenty third then on November twenty third when you're in
(04:52):
you know, a conference semifinal or conference final and trying
to get your way to MLS Cup. So look, are
there lessons being from it, Absolutely, But the team's got
to be better at home playing simple. You have this
opportunity to play these these games at home to close
out the season. Still four of six remaining Tquos Stadium
and you have to take advantage of them.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Team's been so good on the road that if you can.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Match that at home, then you're very much a Supporter
Shield contender. But now with that loss against New York
City and coupled with the previous home loss and then
played to Charlotte like, you really don't have any wiggle
room left.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
It's unique because we've talked about positioning for the supporter Shield,
but on the other side of that, we've also talked
about how tight the standings are, not just between Philadelphia
and FC Cincinnati, which we'll get to in a second,
but Nashville's two points behind FC Cincinnati, Charlotte and Orlando
are at forty seven. It's just it's one of those
things where, yes, you're still playing for the supporter Shield,
(05:48):
but you got to be cognizant of the other teams
behind you. You don't want to drop back too far
getting yourself ready for the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
No, not at all. Aways. You want to make sure
you're in the top four certainly.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
I mean, look, the goal is to be that one seed,
have home field throughout the East, and potentially you're lifting
the supporter Shield again. But you know, first and foremost Yeah,
it's almost like a playoff atmosphere starts now, starting tomorrow night,
like the playoffs again, because listen, as disappointing as everything
was last Saturday, if you turn around and you win
(06:19):
this match tomorrow, you're right back on top of Philadelphia
because you're two points back. So those three points and
you're right back on top, and you're back in control
now with five games to go.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But who's coming in after that? Nashville?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Who If Nashville wins, there's still two points behind you,
so you need to grow some separation between these teams.
You win Philadelphia and Nashville, all right, Well, now you're
in a good spot again. The four to go, and
you're gonna go. Obviously it's a long trip. You can
play the La Galaxy, who have been down this year,
and your only other road trip is to New York,
which is alway a tough place to play, but they're
also down a bit this year, you know. So I
(06:53):
think that the intensity level cranks up now six games
ago because a supporter shield's still very there, very much there,
the one seed is very much there. All the spoils
that come with those two things, and you're gonna be
playing these teams, and then you know your next home
game after that LA game is Orlando, and Orlando's in
great form and come and racing up the Eastern Conference standing.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So you have to win your home games.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
If you win these four games at home to close
out the regular season and get some results in those
two road games, then listen, you're gonna be very much
in contention for the Supporter Shield in the one seed.
But that playoff type atmosphere and in intensity, we got
to see that starting at seven thirty tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Talk about starting at seven thirty tomorrow the Philadelphia Union,
I would use the term drubbing by what they just
did to Chicago four nil, four nil. They beat up
on Chicago. They obviously the leaders in the Eastern Conference standings.
What is it about Philadelphia that has made them at
or near the top of the standings all season?
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Remember this is the team Tory missed the playoffs last year.
It was shocking and Jim Curtins let go after the
season after all the success that he had had there,
and you're kind of scratching your head and you're like,
where does Philadelphia go next? Well, they went and got
Bradley Carnell of course, Bradley was insisting.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
With the New York Red Bulls.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
He was the interim head coach in twenty twenty, and
then he went to Saint Louis City and he took
that Red Bulls style to Saint Louis City. And when
I interviewed Pat for the pregame show back on March first,
he told Kevin and myself that Red Bulls are actually
or I'm sorry, Philadelphia has more Red Bulls than Red
Bulls are in the way that they play the game,
and they're gonna press you. They're gonna make like life difficult.
(08:30):
It's gonna be a frustrating match. It might not be
the prettiest match to watch. And you're right. They drubbed
Chicago last week four. The Ty Barribos having unbelievable season.
Ty Barribo just drools playing f C Cincinnati. Drooles seven
goals all time in his three games against f C Cincinnati.
I mean, they've got to find a way to not
let him have another multiple goal game. He had a
(08:52):
hat trick in the matchup of March first at Sugaru Park.
Like that was, you know, now almost six months ago,
it's a you know, completely different matchup than it was
then and and we'll probably see some new faces out there, uh,
you know, for.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Pat Nownon in this one. But you gotta know where
Todd Baribo is.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
You got to find a way to shut them down,
and you have to find a way to break them
down a little bit so that they start chasing the match,
that you're not pushed into playing their game. But Bradley
Carnell has done a fantastic job and it shows you
know that that he could step in and put his
system in place and make things difficult. They kind of
play like a four to two two two uh formation
and and have have kind of flipped upside down with
(09:31):
Philadelphia has done for years, and he's getting the best
out of the guys they have. You know, the Union
don't buy any stretch of the imagination. The biggest payroll
in the league, you know. If anything, they've been criticized
the times for not spending enough money in bringing guys
in or trying to keep guys. So, uh, listen, it's
gonna be a really, really tough matchup. But at the
(09:51):
same time, I noticed that c Cincinnay can find a way,
uh to get this win. But but they're gonna have
to be ready in every phase of the match.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
How quickly can it turn Tommy in the MLS, because again,
it's such a grind, it's such a long season, and yes,
you go through different spells. And for FC Cincinnati, it's
not making excuses. From the start of the season on.
It's been a lot of roster work. It's been bringing
in new guys together and at times they shine and
at times it looks like they're putting a lot of
(10:22):
new pieces out there. They've dealt with injuries and every
team deals with injuries as well, and then they go
and make a flurry of moves to make this roster
better and more fitting to go win an MLS Cup.
That stuff takes time. So how is the vibe? How
is the feel around the team? The confidence around the
team when you're around them at practice. Does it feel
(10:43):
like a team that believes and is confident in what
they're doing and where they're going.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
I think that there's a very high level of confidence
in the group because they know that they have the
white pieces. Look, they just watched their general manager go
out and have a great window to close it out.
As we talked about last Friday when I was on
the show, and the Brenner deal obviously has been announced.
Since then, he's been training and if you heard Roman
Celentano speak, Roman said he looks even better than he
did the last time he saw him, you know, almost
(11:10):
two and a half years ago, in the way that
he's performing. He said he was more fine and more mature.
And that's kind of what I expected.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Right.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Brenner hasn't played a whole lot since he left. That
can be humbling for a player, and you know, the
feeling and understanding is that he's very hungry and wants
to be back here and wants to contribute. Think about
that amazing run that he had in twenty twenty two
and helping FC Cincinnati get to the Supporter Shield. He
scored eighteen goals in nineteen games, and if I recall correctly,
(11:39):
it all started with a match in Philadelphia coming out
of the international break in June when he kind of
had a slow start to the season, and I believe
he scored in that game at Super Park and that started,
you know, this spurt of goals. He had a couple
of hat tricks in there, and San Jose came in.
He had a hat trick against them at Tquo Stadium
and he was just on fire. And I think you
(12:02):
know that the beauty of bringing him in is that
he knows the coaches. The coaching staff is exactly the
same as when he left. Nothing's changed there. Certainly some
of the personnel has changed, but arguably, you know, if
he starts tomorrow night, he'll be on the pitch with
more talent than he was on the pitch with during
that run in twenty twenty two, and that should elevate
(12:24):
his play. So if he comes in with the right
mentality and the hunger and desire to help this team
reach its goals this season, then that's gonna be a
massive boost. So I think now the team has addressed
the needs, right. They brought in a couple attacking players.
They need some more players there. They brought in another
wide player and still to come in Samuel GD as
(12:46):
his visa gets worked out, hopefully he's here next week.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
You know that that's another depth piece in the midfield.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
And you're gonna get Obino Woboo back in October as
he continues to get healthy. So all the pieces like
we started this camera are there for pat Noon in
the team just needs to put it all together and
and perform like they're capable of. And if they do that,
then there's no question that we should be having these
conversations into December, you know, as the team potentially fights
for a spot in MLS Cup.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
That is Uh, that's what's on the slate for tomorrow
night at TQL Stadium Philadelphia and FC Cincinnati. Before I
let you go, Tommy, how would you best characterize your
fondest memories of the Kenny Pickett era with the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Brief and uneventful, I think is the way to put it. Yeah,
I mean, not not much happened. There wasn't really surprising
the way it played out.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
I think.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
I think I've been calling Joe Flacco as a starting quarterback,
you know, since we've had these conversations since he was
brought back in, which makes sense. Listen, you get two rookies,
let those guys develop and kind of fight it out
to be the number two.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I think I think that's fine, and and let's see
what Joe Flakko can do in week one. I mean,
I know, well, we're gonna go in a much more
detailed conversation about that next Friday ahead of the opener.
But yeah, what's on tap for the big long weekend
for you, Tony?
Speaker 2 (14:09):
That's a great question. Uh, we are I think just
slam packed, you know. We I was looking forward to. Uh,
I was looking forward to a nice day of college
football tomorrow. And I was reminded kids, well, I was
reminded when I when I got home before I left
this morning that my wife has a a bachelotte party
tomorrow night. Oh and I don't think it's tomorrow night.
(14:32):
I think it's like a whole day thing. So I
have the kids, and I gotta be careful because I
can't say I'm babysitting, because you don't babysit your own kids.
I've made aware of that before. Yes, So I got
the kids tomorrow. Our daughter turns four on Sunday, so
we're doing a little birthday party for her on Sunday,
hopefully hopefully relaxing then on Monday, any big plans in
(14:53):
their Glaire household.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
My son turns fourteen on Wednesday, so we're we're birthday
mode weekend as well. He's he's taking three of his
buddies and they're sitting in the Bailey.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Wow, they relocate themselves to the Bailey for the big
birthday matchup.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
So so he'll.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Be in the Bailey on Saturday, and then he's throwing
out the first pitch of the Florence y'alls.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Wow, let's go, let's go.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Not even fourteen a couple of days. Shy at fourteen
to be throwing out the first pitch of the yalls game.
So what do you do for that?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
I don't know. This time we set the bar hive. Yeah,
four so we did.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
I mean when Gary Clark set up to his birthday
party like five years old, I mean that was it
was twenty it was twenty sixteen because he was the
Cavs Championship cake. He had he had a he had
to the champions NBA Championship trophans cake. So that's twenty sixteen,
so he would have been five. So yeah, his fifth birthday.
You know, you're going through the list and he's in
school at that point, in kindergarten. He gives me, you know,
(15:51):
I want him by this kid and that kid, and
on his list is.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Gary Clark Man. And I'm like, now to his credit,
who showed up? Yeah, Kary Clark.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
I mean that's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
I mean sitting there having a having a backyard birthday
party with you know, I don't know how many five
year old's, probably four hundred and and who comes around
the corner the problem Karry Clark.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Well, see that's a little more at least attainable. Our
our son in turning five a couple of weeks ago,
wanted Pete Rose to be at his party.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
That was a different I thought you were gonna say
Ellie or something, which it was probably equally difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
It was a difficult conversation to have, so he settled on.
He wanted a Pete Rose autograph, which we were able
to get. We were able to make happen for him.
But uh, yeah, well I'm there. I'm always there, Tommy,
as are you for us on Fridays and it's always appreciated. Tommy.
Have a great long weekend, enjoy the call, and uh
let's finish tomorrow night a top atop the standings in
(16:48):
the east.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I love that idea.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Let's do it, Tommy, you're the best man. We'll talk
again next week.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
You got to have a great one.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
So that is Tom Gallairder. This is since he three
sixty hour three Thanks to Penn Station, and thank you
for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station and
afternoon that
This is Penn Station EASTCA Subs Cincy three sixty of
About Cincinnati from Cincinnatis, spuntered in part by Pennstation eastco Subs.
Handcrafted hot grilled subs, fresh cut fries and lemonade. It's
all about good taste. Penn Station East Coast Subs order
online today. This is ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station.
Speaker 2 (00:23):
Welcome back our three thanks to Penn Station. Thank you
for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station. As
we roll into the third and final hour here on
a Friday edition of Cincy three to sixty, which means
you already know. We got to talk to FC Cincinnati
with our guy Tom Gallader, the voice of FC Cincinnati,
joining us right now. Tommy, Tommy, Tommy, what's going on.
Speaker 3 (00:46):
Tony, Tony, Tony, Happy Friday.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
I hope you had anxt reunion with your Kelsey brothers
last night.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
I know the result was a little bit disappointing.
Speaker 4 (00:53):
And a late return, but listen, anybody who questions your
professionalism return and here we are on Friday afternoon, getting
after You've probably had fourteen cups of coffee, but that's okay.
Survival mode to get through this Friday and into the
holiday weekend. There's no there's a four day weekend for
Tommy and Tony. It would have been easy to put
(01:15):
into proper shift.
Speaker 2 (01:16):
It would have been easy to just be like, hey,
you know what, I'm good, I'm I'm gonna take today.
Really pushing against, really pushing against the part time Pike
allegations that get thrown around by some of our talkbackers.
Speaker 3 (01:29):
Yeah, that's unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
The result last night obviously not what Cincinnati wanted, and
the result last week for FC Cincinnati also not the
result that anyone wanted. Is there something about some of
these whole matches that feels like they need to figure out?
I know there's a lot of moving parts here there.
They're making additions to the roster, they're trying to add
(01:53):
in key areas, and that's gonna take some time of
getting folks to play together. But it just didn't feel
clean last week in the loss of New York City.
Speaker 4 (02:02):
No, it wasn't and it never really felt like f
C Sinceni was in command of the match, And I
think that's what's frustrating. I mean, I think everybody knows
that this team is good enough to win those games,
and that they have the right parts and they have
a great coach and all of that, and you know,
coming home, you're coming home to Tiquol Stadium, and you
(02:23):
have an opportunity to jump back into first place, and
you know, it just just didn't come.
Speaker 3 (02:30):
Together on that night in New York City.
Speaker 4 (02:31):
For whatever reason, has been you know, kind of that
frustrating thorn in the side. I mean, listen to two
games against New York City, they haven't scored a goal.
Two games against Charlotte they even scored a goal. I
think Miami's the only other team that has shut him
out this year. And then nil nil draw down there,
and listen, there were some different factors going on for
that match last week. And obviously DeAndre Yednen had been
(02:52):
moved to Salt Lake, so you didn't have him Availble
on the right side, but you did have Alice Powell,
who's plenty of experience in this league. Brad Smith started
on the left side. We've now learned that he got
hurt in that match. Miles Robinson is still out with
a knox so you're a little short handed. I don't
think that anybody was, you know, making excuses. Pat Newnan
was the first to raise his hand and say, listen,
(03:13):
this is on me. We weren't ready tonight. But I
think the hard part is when you're that close to
first place and you know you can come home and
perform at home and potentially be in first place at
the end of the night and you're not.
Speaker 2 (03:24):
That's where the real disappointment sinks in. What is it from?
Is it the additions, is it injuries? And obviously every
team is going through different stuff, but this time of
the year we've talked about, you know, trying to hit
your peek at the right time, and as the the
MLS LAD is winding down, they make all these additions.
(03:45):
Is it just one of those things where it feels
like they just need a little bit more time together here.
They obviously got to get some guys healthy in the
meantime as well. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (03:53):
No, I mean, I think it's some of everything that
you just discussed, and you know, there was a few
rotational pieces, you know, with guys who are out and
obviously DeAndre being moved and figuring out whereverybody slots in
the miles hurt and playing Lucas angle at center back.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
Luca Orsano was out. Good news is that he is back.
You know, you have a guy like Dominic.
Speaker 4 (04:15):
Mark Mark Tuku's Mark Chukus now into the mix, you know,
and and Fit and Brentner coming into the mix. So
I feel really good about where the team is at.
Obviously you're missing O being a wobdope and Brian and
Nunga has done.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
A good job.
Speaker 4 (04:29):
They were just flat and I think, you know, the
head coach and the entire team would be the first
to raise their hand. They acknowledge that, but like I said,
it's just disappointing when you know you're coming home with
this opportunity and then then you kind of lay an
egg and and don't perform. And look, everybody has days
like that. You'd much rather have that day on August
twenty third then on November twenty third when you're in
(04:52):
you know, a conference semifinal or conference final and trying
to get your way to MLS Cup. So look, are
there lessons being from it, Absolutely, But the team's got
to be better at home playing simple. You have this
opportunity to play these these games at home to close
out the season. Still four of six remaining Tquos Stadium
and you have to take advantage of them.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
Team's been so good on the road that if you can.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
Match that at home, then you're very much a Supporter
Shield contender. But now with that loss against New York
City and coupled with the previous home loss and then
played to Charlotte like, you really don't have any wiggle
room left.
Speaker 2 (05:27):
It's unique because we've talked about positioning for the supporter Shield,
but on the other side of that, we've also talked
about how tight the standings are, not just between Philadelphia
and FC Cincinnati, which we'll get to in a second,
but Nashville's two points behind FC Cincinnati, Charlotte and Orlando
are at forty seven. It's just it's one of those
things where, yes, you're still playing for the supporter Shield,
(05:48):
but you got to be cognizant of the other teams
behind you. You don't want to drop back too far
getting yourself ready for the playoffs.
Speaker 3 (05:55):
No, not at all. Aways. You want to make sure
you're in the top four certainly.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
I mean, look, the goal is to be that one seed,
have home field throughout the East, and potentially you're lifting
the supporter Shield again. But you know, first and foremost Yeah,
it's almost like a playoff atmosphere starts now, starting tomorrow night,
like the playoffs again, because listen, as disappointing as everything
was last Saturday, if you turn around and you win
(06:19):
this match tomorrow, you're right back on top of Philadelphia
because you're two points back. So those three points and
you're right back on top, and you're back in control
now with five games to go.
Speaker 3 (06:28):
But who's coming in after that? Nashville?
Speaker 4 (06:31):
Who If Nashville wins, there's still two points behind you,
so you need to grow some separation between these teams.
You win Philadelphia and Nashville, all right, Well, now you're
in a good spot again. The four to go, and
you're gonna go. Obviously it's a long trip. You can
play the La Galaxy, who have been down this year,
and your only other road trip is to New York,
which is alway a tough place to play, but they're
also down a bit this year, you know. So I
(06:53):
think that the intensity level cranks up now six games
ago because a supporter shield's still very there, very much there,
the one seed is very much there. All the spoils
that come with those two things, and you're gonna be
playing these teams, and then you know your next home
game after that LA game is Orlando, and Orlando's in
great form and come and racing up the Eastern Conference standing.
Speaker 3 (07:13):
So you have to win your home games.
Speaker 4 (07:15):
If you win these four games at home to close
out the regular season and get some results in those
two road games, then listen, you're gonna be very much
in contention for the Supporter Shield in the one seed.
But that playoff type atmosphere and in intensity, we got
to see that starting at seven thirty tomorrow.
Speaker 2 (07:30):
Talk about starting at seven thirty tomorrow the Philadelphia Union,
I would use the term drubbing by what they just
did to Chicago four nil, four nil. They beat up
on Chicago. They obviously the leaders in the Eastern Conference standings.
What is it about Philadelphia that has made them at
or near the top of the standings all season?
Speaker 4 (07:51):
Remember this is the team Tory missed the playoffs last year.
It was shocking and Jim Curtins let go after the
season after all the success that he had had there,
and you're kind of scratching your head and you're like,
where does Philadelphia go next? Well, they went and got
Bradley Carnell of course, Bradley was insisting.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
With the New York Red Bulls.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
He was the interim head coach in twenty twenty, and
then he went to Saint Louis City and he took
that Red Bulls style to Saint Louis City. And when
I interviewed Pat for the pregame show back on March first,
he told Kevin and myself that Red Bulls are actually
or I'm sorry, Philadelphia has more Red Bulls than Red
Bulls are in the way that they play the game,
and they're gonna press you. They're gonna make like life difficult.
(08:30):
It's gonna be a frustrating match. It might not be
the prettiest match to watch. And you're right. They drubbed
Chicago last week four. The Ty Barribos having unbelievable season.
Ty Barribo just drools playing f C Cincinnati. Drooles seven
goals all time in his three games against f C Cincinnati.
I mean, they've got to find a way to not
let him have another multiple goal game. He had a
(08:52):
hat trick in the matchup of March first at Sugaru Park.
Like that was, you know, now almost six months ago,
it's a you know, completely different matchup than it was
then and and we'll probably see some new faces out there, uh,
you know, for.
Speaker 3 (09:04):
Pat Nownon in this one. But you gotta know where
Todd Baribo is.
Speaker 4 (09:09):
You got to find a way to shut them down,
and you have to find a way to break them
down a little bit so that they start chasing the match,
that you're not pushed into playing their game. But Bradley
Carnell has done a fantastic job and it shows you
know that that he could step in and put his
system in place and make things difficult. They kind of
play like a four to two two two uh formation
and and have have kind of flipped upside down with
(09:31):
Philadelphia has done for years, and he's getting the best
out of the guys they have. You know, the Union
don't buy any stretch of the imagination. The biggest payroll
in the league, you know. If anything, they've been criticized
the times for not spending enough money in bringing guys
in or trying to keep guys. So, uh, listen, it's
gonna be a really, really tough matchup. But at the
(09:51):
same time, I noticed that c Cincinnay can find a way,
uh to get this win. But but they're gonna have
to be ready in every phase of the match.
Speaker 2 (09:59):
How quickly can it turn Tommy in the MLS, because again,
it's such a grind, it's such a long season, and yes,
you go through different spells. And for FC Cincinnati, it's
not making excuses. From the start of the season on.
It's been a lot of roster work. It's been bringing
in new guys together and at times they shine and
at times it looks like they're putting a lot of
(10:22):
new pieces out there. They've dealt with injuries and every
team deals with injuries as well, and then they go
and make a flurry of moves to make this roster
better and more fitting to go win an MLS Cup.
That stuff takes time. So how is the vibe? How
is the feel around the team? The confidence around the
team when you're around them at practice. Does it feel
(10:43):
like a team that believes and is confident in what
they're doing and where they're going.
Speaker 3 (10:47):
Yeah, I think so.
Speaker 4 (10:48):
I think that there's a very high level of confidence
in the group because they know that they have the
white pieces. Look, they just watched their general manager go
out and have a great window to close it out.
As we talked about last Friday when I was on
the show, and the Brenner deal obviously has been announced.
Since then, he's been training and if you heard Roman
Celentano speak, Roman said he looks even better than he
did the last time he saw him, you know, almost
(11:10):
two and a half years ago, in the way that
he's performing. He said he was more fine and more mature.
And that's kind of what I expected.
Speaker 3 (11:16):
Right.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Brenner hasn't played a whole lot since he left. That
can be humbling for a player, and you know, the
feeling and understanding is that he's very hungry and wants
to be back here and wants to contribute. Think about
that amazing run that he had in twenty twenty two
and helping FC Cincinnati get to the Supporter Shield. He
scored eighteen goals in nineteen games, and if I recall correctly,
(11:39):
it all started with a match in Philadelphia coming out
of the international break in June when he kind of
had a slow start to the season, and I believe
he scored in that game at Super Park and that started,
you know, this spurt of goals. He had a couple
of hat tricks in there, and San Jose came in.
He had a hat trick against them at Tquo Stadium
and he was just on fire. And I think you
(12:02):
know that the beauty of bringing him in is that
he knows the coaches. The coaching staff is exactly the
same as when he left. Nothing's changed there. Certainly some
of the personnel has changed, but arguably, you know, if
he starts tomorrow night, he'll be on the pitch with
more talent than he was on the pitch with during
that run in twenty twenty two, and that should elevate
(12:24):
his play. So if he comes in with the right
mentality and the hunger and desire to help this team
reach its goals this season, then that's gonna be a
massive boost. So I think now the team has addressed
the needs, right. They brought in a couple attacking players.
They need some more players there. They brought in another
wide player and still to come in Samuel GD as
(12:46):
his visa gets worked out, hopefully he's here next week.
Speaker 3 (12:49):
You know that that's another depth piece in the midfield.
Speaker 4 (12:53):
And you're gonna get Obino Woboo back in October as
he continues to get healthy. So all the pieces like
we started this camera are there for pat Noon in
the team just needs to put it all together and
and perform like they're capable of. And if they do that,
then there's no question that we should be having these
conversations into December, you know, as the team potentially fights
for a spot in MLS Cup.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
That is Uh, that's what's on the slate for tomorrow
night at TQL Stadium Philadelphia and FC Cincinnati. Before I
let you go, Tommy, how would you best characterize your
fondest memories of the Kenny Pickett era with the Cleveland Browns.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Brief and uneventful, I think is the way to put it. Yeah,
I mean, not not much happened. There wasn't really surprising
the way it played out.
Speaker 3 (13:43):
I think.
Speaker 4 (13:44):
I think I've been calling Joe Flacco as a starting quarterback,
you know, since we've had these conversations since he was
brought back in, which makes sense. Listen, you get two rookies,
let those guys develop and kind of fight it out
to be the number two.
Speaker 3 (13:54):
Uh.
Speaker 4 (13:55):
I think I think that's fine, and and let's see
what Joe Flakko can do in week one. I mean,
I know, well, we're gonna go in a much more
detailed conversation about that next Friday ahead of the opener.
But yeah, what's on tap for the big long weekend
for you, Tony?
Speaker 2 (14:09):
That's a great question. Uh, we are I think just
slam packed, you know. We I was looking forward to. Uh,
I was looking forward to a nice day of college
football tomorrow. And I was reminded kids, well, I was
reminded when I when I got home before I left
this morning that my wife has a a bachelotte party
tomorrow night. Oh and I don't think it's tomorrow night.
(14:32):
I think it's like a whole day thing. So I
have the kids, and I gotta be careful because I
can't say I'm babysitting, because you don't babysit your own kids.
I've made aware of that before. Yes, So I got
the kids tomorrow. Our daughter turns four on Sunday, so
we're doing a little birthday party for her on Sunday,
hopefully hopefully relaxing then on Monday, any big plans in
(14:53):
their Glaire household.
Speaker 3 (14:55):
My son turns fourteen on Wednesday, so we're we're birthday
mode weekend as well. He's he's taking three of his
buddies and they're sitting in the Bailey.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Wow, they relocate themselves to the Bailey for the big
birthday matchup.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
So so he'll.
Speaker 4 (15:10):
Be in the Bailey on Saturday, and then he's throwing
out the first pitch of the Florence y'alls.
Speaker 2 (15:14):
Wow, let's go, let's go.
Speaker 4 (15:18):
Not even fourteen a couple of days. Shy at fourteen
to be throwing out the first pitch of the yalls game.
So what do you do for that?
Speaker 3 (15:25):
I don't know. This time we set the bar hive. Yeah,
four so we did.
Speaker 4 (15:30):
I mean when Gary Clark set up to his birthday
party like five years old, I mean that was it
was twenty it was twenty sixteen because he was the
Cavs Championship cake. He had he had a he had
to the champions NBA Championship trophans cake. So that's twenty sixteen,
so he would have been five. So yeah, his fifth birthday.
You know, you're going through the list and he's in
school at that point, in kindergarten. He gives me, you know,
(15:51):
I want him by this kid and that kid, and
on his list is.
Speaker 3 (15:55):
Gary Clark Man. And I'm like, now to his credit,
who showed up? Yeah, Kary Clark.
Speaker 2 (16:01):
I mean that's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (16:02):
I mean sitting there having a having a backyard birthday
party with you know, I don't know how many five
year old's, probably four hundred and and who comes around
the corner the problem Karry Clark.
Speaker 2 (16:13):
Well, see that's a little more at least attainable. Our
our son in turning five a couple of weeks ago,
wanted Pete Rose to be at his party.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
That was a different I thought you were gonna say
Ellie or something, which it was probably equally difficult.
Speaker 2 (16:26):
It was a difficult conversation to have, so he settled on.
He wanted a Pete Rose autograph, which we were able
to get. We were able to make happen for him.
But uh, yeah, well I'm there. I'm always there, Tommy,
as are you for us on Fridays and it's always appreciated. Tommy.
Have a great long weekend, enjoy the call, and uh
let's finish tomorrow night a top atop the standings in
(16:48):
the east.
Speaker 3 (16:49):
I love that idea.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Let's do it, Tommy, you're the best man. We'll talk
again next week.
Speaker 3 (16:53):
You got to have a great one.
Speaker 2 (16:55):
So that is Tom Gallairder. This is since he three
sixty hour three Thanks to Penn Station, and thank you
for listening on ESPN fifteen thirty Cincinnati Sports Station and
afternoon that
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